Mix with the Masters
Encores • Ep01 | Remi Wolf - Soup
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Watch the full series at: http://mwtm.com/itt101
This extract comes from a 2-part series in which Stargate deconstruct one of Rihanna’s biggest hit singles. Written in collaboration with Sia and Benny Blanco, the song marked a decisive moment in the singer’s career and opened her up to a brand new sound.
#producer #producertok #musicproduction #musicproducer #recordingstudio #mixwiththemasters #protools #recordingvocals #mixingandmastering #mixingengineer #cardib #lesliebrathwaite
To watch the full series, visit: mixwiththemasters.com/videos/jack-antonoff-the-1975-part-of-the-band
The broadcast will feature an exclusive 3-hour video documenting his work with the English rock band, Rat The Magnificent. Filmed at Studios La Fabrique, it exhibits his complete recording process as well as his philosophies on music and creativity. It is an opportunity for fans, musicians and studio professionals to learn more about his signature approach to making records.
Following the broadcast, there will be a live Q&A with the engineering team from Electrical Audio.
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Mix With The Masters is a professional development platform dedicated to the art and science of making records. We have joined forces with the world’s most highly-regarded engineers, producers, and artists to share their knowledge and expertise through in-depth tutorial videos, exclusive live events and an online community.
This platform provides a central meeting place for music makers from across the globe. Use it to connect with collaborators, get feedback, learn new techniques and take your creative practice to the next level. Every step of the music-making process is covered in fine detail and we curate content across a wide range of musical styles and genres.
To watch the full series, visit: mwtm.com/itt102
To watch the full series, visit: mwtm.com/itt101
Inspired by timeless songs from Motown and Daptone, Teo Halm set out to produce a modern record with an old soul. Explore the making of this elegant ballad and learn how to transform a rough demo into a finished hit single using vintage hardware and next-generation software.
To demonstrate his creative process, Teo bounces back and forth between his DAW and a series of archival video clips from the studio sessions. This footage allows you to get closer to the magic and learn more about the live recording process as it happened. He expands on his creative process, offering insight into mic selection, placement and processing, as well as the musical direction that took place in the heat of the moment.
These lush live recordings are then run through an Ampex tape machine before arriving in Ableton, where Teo brings it all together to create a future classic that will remain fresh for years to come.
In his memory, we have made one of his full-length video tutorials available for free for the next seven days. This 2.5-hour video series documents Steve’s complete approach to tracking live drums. Explore his signature approach to analog recording and learn how he achieved the distinct drum sounds from his work with Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey and more.
To watch the video series, visit mwtm.com/td3
In addition to this video offering, we have scheduled a special tribute broadcast on Monday May 20th at 7:00pm CET. Stay tuned for more information later this week.
#producer #producertok #musicproduction #lofi #musicproducer #recordingstudio #mixingandmastering #logicpro #recordingvocals #mixwiththemasters #jlloyd #jungle #backon74
Watch the full series at: http://mwtm.com/itt54
This extract comes from a 40-minute series in which Bob explores the making of this stadium rock anthem. Bob opens up the digital multitrack session and demonstrates how he would approach the song today using a combination of analog hardware and plugins
Explore the mix of this hit single, taken from the artist’s multi-award-winning country album, ‘Golden Hour’. Drawing influence from psychedelic rock and synth pop, Shawn crafts an unusual mix that has set a new standard for country music as we know it.
Shawn begins with a look at his controversial ‘pre-mastering’ techniques. By filtering the rough mix through a series of compressors, EQs and analog tape emulations, he is able to hear the music from a unique perspective and prepare the song for today’s challenging loudness algorithms.
He then pulls back the curtain to reveal the mix techniques that brought this eclectic song to life. You will learn experimental approaches to multiband processing, binaural panning, reamping and more as Shawn enhances the tone and texture of each instrument. He shares his favorite tools for adding color to drums, guitars, strings, vocals and more, with a specific focus on the mythic Fairchild compressor – a device which features extensively across this album. He explores both the analog and digital versions of this tool, and he uses it in different ways to create texture, depth and character.
Watch the full series http://mwtm.com/dm44
This extract comes from a 3-part series in which Stuart revisits the original Pro Tools session for ‘Yoncé’. Watch Stuart deconstruct the recording and mixing process behind this hit song and get an inside look at the production featuring contributions by Mike Dean, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and more.
Raised in the digital age, the LA-based mix engineer has developed a reputation for his tasteful use of analog equipment. Learn how he skillfully combined digital and analog tools on the mix of this striking hip-hop anthem by Chris Brown.
Teezio explores his use of analog summing and digital mix bus processing to craft mixes that compete with fully mastered tracks. You will uncover the routing and processing techniques that he uses to maximize his headroom and enhance the frequency response of every mix.
Once his balance is locked into place, he takes a closer look at the incredible vocal performances by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Joyner Lucas and Tee Grizzley. With four featured artists and various engineering personnel involved, Teezio must find a way to fit all the different pieces into the puzzle. He explains how he applies EQ, compression and effects to bring the artists together, while simultaneously shining a light on what makes each one stand out from the pack.
Watch the full series http://mwtm.com/dm44
This extract comes from a 6-part series in which Chris revisits the original recording of ‘Boulevard Of Broken Dreams’ by Green Day. Watch Chris remix the song using his signature SSL4000 console as well his impressive collection of hardware at Mix LA. You will learn all of his signature techniques for mixing hit records including how to use EQ, compression, automation and more.
Chris sets up shop at Rue Boyer for a fresh look at his Grammy-winning mastering process. Outside of his comfort zone at Sterling Sound, he talks through his experience of adjusting to a new studio. You will learn how he adapts to new listening environments and how he achieves consistency and quality behind any board.
Chris’ skill set and discography is incredibly diverse, and you will get to experience how he approaches a wide range of creative material. From major label pop and country stars like Dua Lipa, Caroline Polachek and Maren Morris to self-produced indie bands, he adapts his process to serve the needs of every project. Chris refines these tracks using different limiters and EQs. Each tool has a distinct sound, and he compares and combines them to achieve the best results possible.
Beyond the music, Chris shares stories from his early years coming up in the industry. He recounts some of the wisdom he gleaned from his mentors Tom Coyne and Herb Powers, and he discusses key philosophies that have kept him at the forefront of the industry for many years. He shares strategies for attracting new clients and working outside of your comfort zone. This open-minded attitude is what has laid the foundations for Chris' long-standing career as one of the world’s most in-demand mastering engineers.
Watch the full series http://mwtm.com/itt80
This extract comes from a 3-part series in which Boi-1da reveals his beatmaking process from the ground up. The superstar producer opens up the original session for “MAFIA” in FL Studio and reveals the technical and creative decisions that went into making the hit song.
J Lloyd, from the British group Jungle, joins us to revisit the making of their viral hit, “Back On 74”. J reveals how the team went back to basics on their fourth album, adopting a loose DIY approach to their writing and production process. Rich with character and authenticity, the song will inspire you to put your technical limitations aside and let your creativity flow in the moment.
J opens up the original session in Logic Pro and rebuilds the track piece by piece. This allows you to hear how the band wrote and recorded the song’s catchy chords and melodies using a simple home studio setup. As J plays back the multitrack, he shares tips for finding inspiration, building momentum and getting your songs over the finish line.
No longer interested in chasing perfection, J shares the philosophies and techniques that contribute to the band’s effortlessly cool sound. He discusses the recordings and equipment that inspire him aesthetically, and he explains how he recreates these sounds using digital emulations of old tape machines, echo chambers and more.
Watch the full series http://mwtm.com/dm45
This extract comes from a 7-part series in which Tony revisits the original Pro Tools session of ‘Midnight City’ by M83. Watch Tony remix the record from scratch using easy-to-access tools and plugins. You will learn all of his signature techniques for making hit records in the box, as well his philosophy on production, arrangement, and aesthetics.
Deconstruct the mix of this electrifying hip-hop anthem featuring two superstar artists. In this series, Leslie Brathwaite travels to Rue Boyer to revisit his work on “Bongos” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion. Uncover the secrets to mixing collaborations and learn how to enhance groove and musicality from one of the world’s best engineers.
Leslie’s process is not based on meters or numbers – he tackles every mix with instinct. Instead, he balances and processes the tracks until he feels the groove lock into place. He explains how he achieves this using easy-to-use stock plugins and a few signature tools such as the Voice Of God and the legendary Fairchild 670.
Beyond the technical and sonic aspects, Leslie is responsible for balancing the personalities of two of the world’s biggest artists. This is where his experience comes to the fore, as he rides and refines the mix to ensure that both featured artists are presented at their best. His ability to hear the record from the artists’ perspective is one of the many qualities that set him apart in the industry, and he goes above and beyond to give his clients the full star treatment.
Watch the full series at http://mwtm.com/itt90
This extract comes from a 3-part series in which the Grammy-winning producer revisits the making of “A&W”. Filmed at Rue Boyer Studios where the record was mixed, Jack explores the performance and recording techniques that contributed towards making this standout track.
Oscar-winning composer, Ludwig Göransson, makes his Mix With The Masters debut alongside engineer and long-term collaborator, Chris Fogel. Together they dive deep into the composition, recording and mixing of this iconic soundtrack, with a focus on the groundbreaking musical cue “Can You Hear The Music”
Ludwig offers his personal connection to the story of Oppenheimer. Drawing inspiration from mathematics, he breaks down the composition process into its core molecular components. You will hear the original harmonic and timbral experiments that lit the fuse for the arrangement, and learn how the ideas were developed using metric modulation and innovative orchestration.
The composer then puts theory into practice. After drafting the musical outlines in Ableton and Cubase, he set out to capture a human interpretation of the piece. This was an immense challenge that pushed the musicians to their limit, as they tried and failed to navigate the piece’s complex tempo changes. Ludwig eventually reveals the breakthrough that enabled the orchestra to achieve the impossible. The result is a virtuosic score that honors the accomplishments of the film’s titular character.
With the composition and performances locked in place, Ludwig hands over to Chris Fogel to explore his unique engineering process. Chris walks through the tracking setup for each of the three ensembles recorded for the film. With reference to the original patch lists and recording chains, he describes how he captured each track with detail and precision.
Transitioning into his mixing workflow, the engineer breaks down his masterful approach to balance, panning, saturation and reverb. Inspired by Christopher Nolan’s world-building, he explores the boundaries of distortion and reamping to create a singular space for the score to inhabit. This imaginative approach to tone shaping was favored by the director in particular, who supported the scoring team every step of the way.
Created in a flash of inspiration, this innovative R&B single by RAYE climbed to the top of the charts across the globe. Watch multi-talented producer Mike Sabath deconstruct the hit single in Ableton Live and get inspired by his soulful approach to making records.
The beat begins with a basic combination of drums, piano and mellotron before developing into a fully orchestrated production featuring elegant strings, soaring vocals and unexpected key changes. Mike reveals how he channeled these ideas into a powerful arrangement and he shares techniques for creating space, drama, tension and release.
Groove and feel play an important role in his process, and Mike generously shares his approach to developing a strong rhythmic pocket. He also experiments with Ableton’s built-in resampling features, combining instruments, plugins and field recordings to create textures that are fresh and unfamiliar.
Throughout the series, you will witness Mike’s playful and inspiring energy in action. He examines his relationship with the artist and discusses the importance of spirituality in his creative process. Always searching for moments of self-expression and connection, he opens up about his inner motives for making music and reveals what inspires him to keep creating day after day.
Bainz puts his analog gear to the test in this exclusive video series. The recording and mixing engineer joins us from his studio in Los Angeles to deconstruct the mix of a hard-hitting trap anthem by Young Thug. Mixed using a combination of plugins and hardware, you will learn new techniques for integrating outboard equipment into your workflow.
The chart-topping mixer begins with an overview of his hybrid setup. He examines each piece of gear in his collection and explains how each one contributes to his signature sound. These tools are all tethered to a state-of-the-art patch network, which enables him to enjoy all of the benefits of analog without any of the drawbacks.
The engineer enhances the groove and character using tasteful compression, EQ and saturation. Standout elements receive special outboard treatments whilst others are refined using digital tools such as Gullfoss and Spectre. Regardless of whether he is processing elements in or out of the box, Bainz always underlines his thought process and explains his mix decisions with precision.
Bainz also shares inside information on Young Thug’s unique vocal sound, drawing from his years of experience with the artist. Bainz reveals the rapper’s complete vocal chain - from recording to final mix - and he breaks down his use of effects, ad-libs and vocal throws to create memorable and exciting hooks.
Later on, Jaycen calls up his close friend and mentor, Dave Pensado, to help answer the audience’s technical and philosophical questions. Together they reveal the tools that give them a competitive edge in the industry, and they offer wisdom on how to find your own sound and carve your own path to the top.
Our summit with Jaycen at Abbey Road Studios 2 was supported by Audiomovers.
For January 2024 Audiomovers has launched the New Year Collection: six exclusive product suites for audio professionals and studios, covering multiple audio production workflows with a focus on immersive content production. Check them out here: audiomovers.com/the_new_year_collection/?utm_source=MWTM&utm_medium=social
Discover all of Jaycen Joshua’s videos on : mwtm.com/masters/jaycen-joshua
Watch CLA remix this powerful rock record from scratch. The multi-platinum mixer leaves his home base at Mix LA in search of new sonic territory. Inspired by the diverse gear collection at Rue Boyer, he fires up the studio’s pristine SSL 4000E and puts his analog mix techniques to the test.
Chris approaches the mix as an opportunity to experiment with the studio’s high-end equipment racks. He sets up a genuine slap using a vintage Revox tape machine and he pushes the mix into a new dimension using a stack of boutique compressors from Manley, Dramastic and Undertone Audio. He clearly defines his intentions behind each hardware insert and effects send, allowing you to follow his decision-making process as it happens.
Chris starts at the very beginning, showing how he prepares a basic DAW session for mix. He applies some gentle pre-processing and summing in the box before outputting the session to the 48-channel console. Once all the analog gear has been patched in, he builds a powerful balance in a matter of seconds. Along the way, he feathers in some tasteful EQ and compression to bring out the personality of each band member and bring the mix to life.
It is always inspiring to watch Chris work behind the console and this series offers a fresh take on his tried and tested process. Watch him exercise his signature mix techniques using a new set of tools and learn more about his work with this iconic rock band.
Follow the Grammy-winning producer on his never-ending quest to discover new sounds in the studio. In this series, Jack goes back to explore his critically-acclaimed work with British pop band, The 1975. Featuring a delicate tapestry of folk and orchestral instruments, the song was built to sound like a modern day ‘band in a room’.
To achieve this goal, Jack and the band approached things differently. Musicians swap instruments. Drums veer off-grid. Cellos drift in and out of tune. These experiments create the perfect environment for a unique arrangement to emerge, and the team is prepared to capture them at a moment’s notice.
Sound design is woven deeply into the recording process, and Jack reveals all of the creative processing techniques that they used to craft the song’s compelling musical textures. While many instruments are captured in a naturalistic way, others are warped and distorted through an array of vintage preamps and echo units.
Towards the end of the series, Jack moves past the recording process and into his general production philosophies. He explores what it means to be a record producer today, and he offers advice on how to manage the industry’s immense expectations and pressures. These simple strategies help him to shield himself from the opinions of others and focus on creating work that is authentic at all costs.
Explore the beating heart of almost every great record: the rhythm section. The multi-platinum mixer reveals his advanced techniques for mixing drums and bass across various genres, from hip hop to acoustic folk. Master the dark art of distortion, transient shaping and harmonic equalization, and learn cheat codes to achieve great sounding mixes in record time.
Filmed at Rue Boyer Studios, this series will transport you into the room for one of Jaycen’s legendary Masterclass events. Perhaps his most detailed series yet, he will take you on a 360° tour of his latest ProTools template. Hand-built like a boutique console, it provides the signature energy and excitement that define his sound. Jaycen fully deconstructs his workflow and explains every plugin and FX send. He even breaks down his meticulous approach to gain staging, a discipline that he has mastered after years of trial and error.
Moving on to the mixing stage, he launches into the rhythm sections of three contrasting tracks. He demonstrates how his template reacts to different styles, and he discusses how he adapts his approach to pay respect to their respective musical traditions.
Jaycen then goes on to supercharge each song with both heavy-hitting low end and high-energy transients. This is achieved using a multitude of modern saturation plugins like Blackbox and Spectre, as well as intelligent multi-band processors like Soothe and Spiff. You will also learn his techniques for creating front-to-back depth using early reflections engines like TrueVerb — his secret weapon when working with dense arrangements.
The final stage in Jaycen’s bulletproof workflow is pre-mastering. An unconventional practice that lies beyond the realm of mixing, he engages specialist tools like StandardCLIP and The God Particle to unlock hidden headroom in the final stages of any mix. This extra gain gives him a game changing advantage, allowing him to push his transients and low end to new limits.
After spending years studying jazz and classical music, Danny L Harle pivoted headfirst into the world of electronic pop. Now embedded at the center of an exciting musical movement, the British producer and composer has earned critical acclaim for his innovative and emotive discography. Explore the production process behind this genre-bending single by Caroline Polachek and discover new techniques for digital composition and collaboration.
To get started, Danny turns back the clock and revisits the original demo session of the song. He exhibits how he and Caroline crafted their own homemade vocal samples using digital varispeed. Danny then lays the foundation for the song’s initial structure using digital synthesis tools like ANA and Kick2 in combination with his built-in Logic sampler. This slowly evolves as the two producers trade audio and MIDI files over AirDrop.
This technology-driven approach gives the song a unique character. The artist and producer eschew old-school production practices in favor of Logic Pro’s sharp digital edges. Glitches and artifacts are embraced as an opportunity to create the rhythm and emotion behind Caroline’s soaring vocals. Musical phrases are cut and repurposed. Audio is warped, processed and pitched around using Flex Time. Harmonies and transitions are synthesized using next-gen effects engines like Adaptiverb and Portal. Danny explores each of these sound design and composition strategies in detail, allowing you to learn how these otherworldly textures and soundscapes came to life.
Once the track has reached its final form, Danny ventures into more philosophical territory. He opens up about the emotions and ideas that inspire his work in the studio, offering meaningful advice on how to find your sound, maintain a creative flow and listen objectively to the music you create.
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Designed by John Storyk, founding partner at WSDG, Rue Boyer mirrors our long-standing ambition for sonic excellence.
Beyond the endless possibilities it offers, these studios reflect our everlasting mission to inspire and support music-makers in their journey towards excellence.
Watch the Grammy-winning engineer reconstruct the mix of one of this year’s biggest records. In this series, Tom presents his in-the-box workflow for the very first time – an approach he perfected while finishing the album at Rue Boyer Studios. The boundaries between engineering, sound design, and arrangement begin to dissolve as he delves into the art of mixing in the modern age.
Tom begins with an overview of his custom-built ProTools template. He introduces his unusual “drag-and-drop” effects workflow, a unique approach that pays tribute to iconic dub producers of the late 60s and 70s. With an array of complex effects at his fingertips, he is able to create a sense of freedom and unpredictability that is difficult to achieve in the digital domain.
Tom uses these effects to create a vast amount of depth, color and tone in the mix. From Travis Scott’s signature auto-crooning, to 21’s textured verses and James Blake’s haunting vocal hooks. You will learn how he sets the stage for each of these superstar performers and creates bespoke vocal chains for each moment of the track.
As he works through the arrangement, he zooms in on each of the song’s iconic transitions. He picks apart their construction and demonstrates how he turned each one into a standout moment. This attention to detail is a signature in Tom’s work, and by showing you the inner workings of his process you will learn how mixing and arrangement are two sides of the same coin.
Full video available exclusively on mwtm.com/itt93
After years of hard work, Lizzo and her team felt that the second album was finally complete. But something kept producers Ricky Reed and Blake Slatkin in the studio working on a promising idea for one more single. The bet paid off, leading to the creation of the album’s Grammy-winning song, “About Damn Time”.
As a close friend and collaborator of Lizzo, Ricky Reed has played an integral part in her musical universe since 2016. After crossing paths with Blake Slatkin during the production of ‘Special’, the two forged an instant connection over their love of old-school funk and disco. What came next is history.
This 4-part series begins at the piano, where Blake and Ricky talk through the harmonic foundations of the song. Bouncing ideas off one another, they slowly reconstruct the track and demonstrate how a simple yet potent groove lured Lizzo back into the studio to join them on their mission.
The duo are accompanied in the control room by recording engineer Bill Malina, who reveals some of the technical decisions that brought their creative ideas to life. He discusses his approach to creating sonic consistency throughout the recording process, using careful equipment selection, mic placement and session management.
Eventually, all attention turns towards Lizzo as we learn how she penned the song’s unforgettable hooks and wordplay. Written in real-time as she freestyled over the track, her spectacular talent and presence perfectly tie the song together and demonstrate the power of an outstanding performance.
The Grammy-winning engineer returns to explore the mixing of an experimental rock opera by The Smashing Pumpkins. The song features incredible performances by many of the band’s founding members, as well as a special appearance from Brian May of Queen. Thundering percussion, experimental synths and an ensemble of extraordinary guitars… Andrew brings all of these elements together to create a show-stopping mix that is larger than life.
All set up at Rue Boyer Studios, he begins with an in-depth look at the drum kit. With over a dozen microphones to choose from, Andrew slowly builds up his ideal drum mix and provides insight into his decision-making process. You will watch him shape the transients and sustain of the kit using a broad spectrum of processing and triggering techniques. Each step is explained in detail as he works to refine the rhythmic foundations of the track.
He then shifts his focus towards the song’s virtuosic guitar and vocal performances. He carefully sculpts the tone of these instruments and reveals how he creates space for each one in the midrange. Layers of EQ and saturation tie it all together and help to create attitude and excitement in the mix. He goes on to employ more experimental techniques later in the series such as pitch shifting and automated modulation, which completely transform the song’s bridge into a heavy-hitting breakdown.
Once each track has been processed individually, Andrew zooms out to provide a global overview of his process. He walks through his custom-built ProTools template and offers advice for developing a productive workflow in-the-box. No stone is left unturned as he deconstructs each of the bespoke parallel chains that contribute to his signature sound.
A nostalgic song about lives gone by, ‘Seasons’ united generations of music fans with its passionate performances and soaring synthpop arrangement. Join Chris Coady as he deconstructs the making of this critically-acclaimed hit, featuring unique recording and production techniques never before seen on Mix With The Masters.
Long Description:
A nostalgic song about lives gone by, ‘Seasons’ united generations of music fans with its passionate performances and soaring synthpop arrangement. Join Chris Coady as he deconstructs the making of this critically-acclaimed hit, featuring unique recording and production techniques never before seen on Mix With The Masters.
Chris begins by revealing the strict rules that forced the team to break new creative boundaries. They turned the entire recording process upside down, tracking vocals first and drums last; and they placed a heavy emphasis on room mics to create depth and perspective. These unusual decisions enabled the band to hear the song with fresh ears and to approach it as if they were playing it for the very first time.
You will get to hear all of these elements track-by-track as Chris builds up the production from the initial demo stage. Along the way he discusses the technical and philosophical aspects of his work – from tone shaping to session management. You will learn useful tips for selecting studios, collaborating with a team and making quick decisions in the heat of the moment.
Once the production elements are in place, Chris moves on to investigate his final mix. Although he is renowned for his use of analog gear, he was challenged by the band to complete this mix entirely in the box. Chris dives into the ProTools session and shares the techniques he used to achieve his signature textures and tones. He explores his use of saturation to blend sounds together, and delves into the subtle differences between analog and digital processing – both of which have their own place in his workflow.
The multi-platinum producer opens up a portal to revisit the making of 'I Fall Apart' by Post Malone. Created using Cubase, Illangelo demonstrates his unique production and mixing techniques using a different set of tools. Discover new ways of working while learning how he crafted a diamond-certified ballad fit for the 21st century.
It all begins with a close look at Post Malone’s definitive lead vocals. Illangelo plays back the raw acapella and discusses the processing used to enhance the performance. He then explores his strategies for writing vocal harmonies and creating dynamic arrangements that evolve throughout the song.
This series pays close attention to Illangelo’s signature sound design work. He closely examines his artistic process and demonstrates how he builds custom chains and effects for each instrument. These are further augmented by his use of experimental filtering, modulation and automation. You will get to see all of this and more as he reconstructs the instrumental piece by piece.
The series ends with a look at his mixing process. His in-the-box approach involves several processing stages, creating a final result that is rich in dynamics and depth. You will learn how to achieve this using a variety of techniques such as parallel compression, saturation, spatial processing and more.
After years of hard work, Lizzo and her team felt that the second album was finally complete. But something kept producers Ricky Reed and Blake Slatkin in the studio working on a promising idea for one more single. The bet paid off, leading to the creation of the album’s Grammy-winning song, “About Damn Time”.
As a close friend and collaborator of Lizzo, Ricky Reed has played an integral part in her musical universe since 2016. After crossing paths with Blake Slatkin during the production of ‘Special’, the two forged an instant connection over their love of old-school funk and disco. What came next is history.
This 4-part series begins at the piano, where Blake and Ricky talk through the harmonic foundations of the song. Bouncing ideas off one another, they slowly reconstruct the track and demonstrate how a simple yet potent groove lured Lizzo back into the studio to join them on their mission.
The duo are accompanied in the control room by recording engineer Bill Malina, who reveals some of the technical decisions that brought their creative ideas to life. He discusses his approach to creating sonic consistency throughout the recording process, using careful equipment selection, mic placement and session management.
Eventually, all attention turns towards Lizzo as we learn how she penned the song’s unforgettable hooks and wordplay. Written in real-time as she freestyled over the track, her spectacular talent and presence perfectly tie the song together and demonstrate the power of an outstanding performance.
Explore a new musical universe with Alan Meyerson, as he takes you inside the award-winning soundtrack to Dune.
In this new series, Alan zooms in on the blockbuster’s musical score, composed and produced by Hans Zimmer. Join him as he explores the mix of “Leaving Caladan”, the instantly recognizable cue featuring performances by Guthrie Govan, Tina Guo and Loire Cotler.
As Alan works his way through the arrangement, he shares his essential techniques for creating highly immersive mixes in quadraphonic sound. With the help of specialist tools, he demonstrates how he creates depth, dynamics and density with only four channels. From weighted panning to “rotation-based” dynamics processing, you will learn an array of new techniques for crafting standout multichannel mixes.
Alan’s masterful balance all comes together within his custom mixing matrix. He offers an up-to-date look at this, with a focus on his bus processing and stem management strategies. These elegant solutions enable him to make mix tweaks on the fly, while ensuring a maximum level of flexibility during the final dub.
An accomplished musician, producer and engineer, Hill Kourkoutis wears many hats in the studio. To kick off her debut series, the Canadian polymath takes us inside the production and mixing of the JUNO award-winning song ‘Howler’ by SATE.
Hill begins by exploring the inspiration and songwriting process behind the track. She then defines the album’s sonic palette; discussing the specific tones, effects and production techniques they used to create a unified sound. These limitations enabled the team to form a distinct aesthetic for the album and helped generate creative momentum in the early stages.
Once the production aesthetics have been established, Hill dives more deeply into the recording process. She shares her approach to capturing warm vintage-inspired tones using modern gear and techniques. She also delves into her experience recording artists remotely and discusses her methods to ensure that no compromises are made during the home recording process.
With the song’s production firmly in place, Hill moves on to the final mixing process. She demonstrates the techniques she uses to tie disparate elements together, particularly when they have been recorded across many different environments and time periods. Finally, she shares valuable tips on how to maintain perspective when mixing your own productions — a challenging but rewarding process for those brave enough to do so.
After producing three critically acclaimed albums with Lana Del Rey, the Grammy-winning producer sits down at Rue Boyer Studios to revisit her latest groundbreaking single, “A&W”. Filmed at Rue Boyer Studios where the record was mixed, Jack explores the performance and recording techniques that brought the track to life.
The series begins with Jack showcasing the instruments that underpin the song’s delicate atmosphere. He examines how each element was performed and captured, emphasizing the value of ‘playing into compression’ to create more emotive performances.
Jack takes these ideas further by exploring his use of dynamics and tuning to create an arrangement that stands out. By combining these approaches with modern engineering techniques, he and the engineer Laura were able to build a world around Lana’s vocals that conjures up both vintage and modern aesthetics.
This balance falls fully into place after Jack introduces ‘Jimmy’ into the arrangement. Originally intended to be a completely different song, the two worlds collide to create one of this year’s most exciting musical medleys. He explains how the team made this musical juxtaposition work, revealing how bold ideas often yield the biggest rewards.
After years of mixing on his trusted SSL console, Jaycen Joshua has gone fully in the box. In this new series, the multi-platinum engineer demonstrates his all-new digital workflow by taking us inside the mix of a brand-new single by C. Tangana.
Composed as an anthem for one of Spain’s most celebrated football clubs, the track is packed full of striking group vocals, explosive percussion, and a supercharged low-end designed to make stadiums shake.
In this 4-part series, Jaycen works his way through the song’s dense arrangement and showcases the steps he took to bring the artist’s vision to life. He dives into the inner workings of his mixing workflow, offering expert techniques for compression, equalization, and harmonic excitement. He even shares his signature ‘low-end theory’, a novel approach that allows him to achieve clarity, power, and punch all the way down to the lowest frequencies.
As a key player in Beyoncé’s production team, Stuart White has traveled the globe making records with one of the world’s biggest superstars.
In this 4-part series, the Grammy-winning engineer revisits the recording and mixing of a standout track from Beyoncé’s self-titled 2014 album. Codenamed 'Yoncé', the song is a bold artistic statement featuring all-star production from Mike Dean, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and more.
Stuart reopens the original ProTools session and explores how the track came together. He walks through his entire recording template, revealing all of his plug-ins, effects chains and routing choices. He also elaborates on Beyoncé’s signature recording chain and explains the reasoning behind each piece of analog gear.
Outside of ProTools, Stuart discusses his experience working in a highly dynamic environment. He shares his tips for keeping sessions organized so when Beyoncé enters the studio, everything is ready to go.
After the dazzling success of Metronomy’s third album, British producer and songwriter Joseph Mount felt the need to change track. Enchanted by the old-school techniques of the 60s and 70s, he set about making an all-analog album in the age of the internet.
This 3-part series explores the production process behind the band’s 2014 single, Love Letters. Recorded live onto an 8-track tape machine and later mixed straight to ¼ inch, the record evokes the spirit of classic records but with a subtle modern edge. Joseph describes how the band used an immaculately restored EMI console, some outboard and a tape machine to shape their musical process from the ground up. He retraces his steps arranging the song for a limited track count, recreating simple modulation effects the hard way, and making risky tape edits to bring it all together.
A digital native, Joseph emphasizes the value of searching for new experiences in the studio and the rewards that come from taking creative risks. When even simple processes become a challenge, anything can happen.
Follow the free-spirited engineer as he embarks on one of his biggest mix deconstructions to date. Tchad Blake joins us from Rue Boyer Studios to explore his work on Peter Gabriel's brand new single, The Court.
Weighing in at over 150 tracks, the session is a whirlwind of thundering drums, eclectic percussion and acrobatic orchestral figures. Tchad enters the eye of this storm and demonstrates how he tamed the complex arrangement and weaved the elements together to create a profoundly immersive mix.
During the 11-part series, Tchad goes through every step of his mixing process from project management to final mastering preparations. You will hear how he pushes and pulls the mix into place using his favorite EQ and saturation tools. He even goes one step further and unpacks the logic behind every plugin and automation point, allowing you to fully grasp his creative process from the ground up.
As Tchad reaches the end of the session, he takes a moment to reflect on his practice and his role as a collaborator in the studio. Not one to play it safe during a mix, he expresses gratitude towards all of the talented artists that enable him to create innovative work that consistently breaks boundaries no matter the style or genre.
The multi-talented producer, songwriter and musical visionary joins us from his studio in Los Angeles to take you inside the world of Uptown Funk, the record-breaking hit song by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars!
As Jeff combs through the track’s original stems, he delves into the minute details of the funk-inspired mega-hit. He weighs in on the early jam sessions that gave rise to the song’s unforgettable groove, as well as the team’s never-ending quest to find the perfect hook. Simple in its construction, the song is richly embedded with cultural references and show-stopping musical performances that have stood the test of time.
It is Jeff’s passion for performance that lies at the heart of his production philosophy. You will learn his signature approach to creating organic arrangements that leap off the grid, as well as the recording techniques he uses to capture ideas as they happen. Whether he is working on a hard-hitting hip-hop track or a soaring pop ballad, his creative process bears an unmistakable authenticity that connects with millions of listeners around the world.
Throughout this series, Jeff remains refreshingly open and honest about his artistic practice. He shares many of the lessons he has learned working with some of the world’s biggest artists and reminds us that while trends may come and go, great artistry is timeless.
After arriving relatively late to the world of mastering, Randy Merrill is a shining example of what is possible when you dedicate yourself fully to your craft. Now one of the world’s most highly-regarded engineers, he has contributed to a plethora of Grammy-winning albums by artists such as Taylor Swift, Silk Sonic, Harry Styles, Adele, Mark Ronson, and more.
A maverick at mastering in the digital domain, Randy invites us into his studio at Sterling Sound to demonstrate his process in microscopic detail. In this 8-part series, he walks through a cross-section of his work featuring first-class artists such as Silk Sonic, Conan Gray, Porter Robinson, and more. He reflects on how his approach varies from song to song and offers lengthy A/B examples to boot. You will learn how Randy employs multi-stage limiting to achieve competitive loudness and tone shaping, and how he uses object-based processing in Sequoia to create targeted adjustments to the songs’ dynamics and spectral balance.
As the series comes to a close, Randy steps away from the console to reveal his ‘four tenets’ of success, offering sage wisdom to engineers of all ages and experience levels on what it takes to make it.
Learn from the multiple award-winning producer and engineer Catherine Marks! For her MWTM series premiere, Catherine describes her career journey, explains her workflow, and focuses on the multi-track of 2016 Grammy-nominated single ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’ by the rock band Wolf Alice. Filmed at Rue Boyer studios in Paris, the 1.5 hour-long instalment dives into the creative process behind this record. Additionally, it explores the general workflow and philosophy of Marks, who references a number of other projects by artists including PJ Harvey, Kelly Rowland, Foals, David Viner, and The Amazons. She imparts many lessons learned from studio sessions and knowledge gained from fellow professionals Alan Moulder, Flood, and others. Taking you through the Pro Tools session of ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’, Catherine shares how she combined an array of guitar sounds, layered vocals, blended samples, and more. Aside from the mix overview, she refers to the equipment and techniques employed at the tracking sessions. Marks demonstrates parallel processing with Scheps Omni Channel and Devil-Loc, defines parameters often set on mix buss gear from Manley, Inward Connections, SSL, and Dramastic Audio, and reveals more ways in which she uses her favourite tools!
After discovering the song in the comments section of a Twitch live stream, the Grammy-award winning engineer finds himself working on a downtempo hip hop track for an independent, self-produced artist. Driven by his love of great music, Leslie invites us into his private studio to watch him mix the track in real-time; from start to finish.
In this series, Leslie focuses almost entirely on the vocals. You will learn how he elevates the artist’s performance using techniques that are simple but effective. Small timing edits and basic signal processing add a signature groove that completely transforms how the song sounds and feels. After settling into his flow, Leslie is able to dial in his signature low-end within seconds and the pieces all fall into place.
Outside of his mix process, you will discover Leslie’s incredible gift for communication and focus. He shares invaluable wisdom about building up the artist’s confidence and getting to the heart of a mix with no distractions. Simple on the surface, this series is a reminder of how straightforward the mix process can be when you focus on what is most important.
Watch Clairo and Rostam deconstruct the inspired production behind Clairo’s indie-pop hit, ‘Bags’.
Surrounded by sunlight in Rostam’s studio in Los Angeles, the two musicians look back on their experiences working together on Clairo’s genre-bending debut album, Immunity. Their creative chemistry is present throughout the series, as they unpack the original ProTools session for the album’s alt-pop single. Together they zoom in on the distinct vocal and instrumental performances delivered by Clairo during the demo process, as well as some of the outlandish production techniques used by Rostam to elevate the song’s simple structure.
The series does not only cover the technical details - it also ventures into some of the more complex psychological aspects of record-making. As they trade stories from the recording process, the duo riff on the importance of building confidence and trust in the studio, and the value of trusting your instincts when the going gets tough.
It all comes to a close with a conversation about the finishing process. Clairo and Rostam discuss how they cherry-picked a team of mix engineers that inspire them, and how they distributed different songs to different engineers in order to create an album that is diverse, adventurous, and unique.
Join the groundbreaking mixer Shawn Everett for a series filmed at Rue Boyer studios in Paris, France!
Throughout this 3-hour video presentation, you’ll get an exclusive look at how the Grammy Award-winning engineer challenges himself to remix ‘Tomorrow’ by Brittany Howard from scratch.
Using the session of an ‘in the box’ mix very similar to the release, Shawn removes all plug-ins and starts afresh. This is certainly not your average remix though – it’s a lot more.
He rearranges parts, makes bold edits, and gets very experimental with a newly imported sample. Applying the concept of inverse sculpting, Everett uses chord analysis and snap tools within Celemony Melodyne to transpose the music. He applies extreme distortion with Soundtoys Decapitator and takes the delta output of the audio through Oeksound Soothe to warp the material beyond recognition!
You can see the use of certain tools in a way you’ve likely never considered and enjoy watching a true innovator create something special.


